“A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.”
— C.S. Lewis
What makes a good children’s book? What do we do when we need good books to read? Books that amuse us, make us read between the lines and help us think for ourselves. The library! Some of us explore the never-too-dusty bookshelves at the library. Others still, ask elders, siblings and friends for a list of great reads during the holidays. And it is said that a book that they would not read themselves should not be given to another. Still, the question remains — what makes a good children’s book?
The Hindu Young World –Goodbooks Awards are the first to recognise the best in Indian children’s literature. A joint initiative of the Goodbooks Trust and Wipro, Goodbooks.in has joined hands with The Hindu Young World and will honour the best stories, genres, authors and illustrators in children’s literature. The inaugural awards will be presented at The Hindu Lit for Life festival which takes place from January 15 to 17 next year.
The awards are being sponsored by Wipro Applying Thought In School, which supports Goodbooks.in. This is the first time that The Hindu Lit for Life is promoting excellence in children’s literature.
Place your books
The categories for which the awards are presented are:
Best Story – Picture Book
Best Illustrations – Picture Book
Best Book for Fiction
Best Book for Non Fiction
A cash prize of Rs. 50,000, a trophy and a citation comes with the award.
Goodbooks.in is an initiative that reviews and discusses children’s books so as to provide a platform for researchers, parents, teachers and children to understand what makes a good book and enjoy Indian children’s literature.
So, young and earnest readers, while you read and re-read your favourite books, check out what’s new and what Goodbooks (www.goodbooks.in) has to say about it. The reviews and special content aims at encouraging a reading habit among today’s children.
